This document discusses concepts from semiotics including the work of Saussure, Peirce, Barthes, and Derrida. It introduces the key ideas of the signifier and signified, and the three types of signs identified by Peirce: iconic, indexical, and symbolic. Barthes contributed the concepts of connotational conjunction and disjunction. Derrida's idea of deconstruction aims to overthrow hierarchies in binary oppositions. The document also analyzes the structure of the Western film genre according to Will Wright and discusses how deconstruction and postmodernism examine binaries like mind/body and culture/nature.

1. Semiotics and Deconstruction
PER005-2 Dancing Cultures

2. … so where were we…?

3. FWehrdoi?nand de Saussure
Tree

4. CWhhaorl?es Peirce
• Expanded on the definition of a sign – three
different and distinct relationships between the
signifier and signified.
• ICONIC SIGN: Signifier represents or
resembles the signified
• INDEXICAL SIGN: Signifier has a causal
relationship to the signified
• SYMBOLIC SIGN: Signifier has a
conventional/arbitrary relationship to the
signified

5. Who?
First order signification/
denotation
“Red rose-ness”
Iconic
Signifier
Signified
Indexical/symbolic
“Red rose-ness”
Signifier
Second order
signification/connotation
“Romance”
Signified
Roland Barthes

6. Another idea…
Roland Barthes identified two types of second order
signification:
Connotational Conjunction: when sign systems
work together to generate a mythologically
dominant meaning – female ballerina dressed in a
white tutu viewed as swan
Connotational Disjunction: when sign systems
work in opposition to generate a critical meaning –
male dancer dressed in feathers viewed as a swan

7. Who?
Rudolf Laban
Performer Movement
The Nexus of the Four Strands
Sound Space

8. CWlhauod?e Levi-Strauss
• Structural Analysis
• Diachronic – Temporally specific
• Synchronic – Of or relating to the study of phenomena, or of
events of a particular time, without reference to their historical
context.

9. JWachqou?es Derrida
• Deconstruction
• Describes binary opposition as “a violent hierarchy. One of the two
terms controls the other (axiologically, logically, etc.) holds the
superior position. To deconstruct the opposition is first… to overthrow
[renverser] the hierarchy.”

10. The Western Film
• Will Wright – ‘The Structure of Myth and the Structure of the Western Film’
1. The hero enters a social group.
2. The hero is unknown to the society.
3. The hero is revealed to have an exceptional ability.
4. The society recognizes a difference between themselves and the
hero; the hero is given a special status.
5. The society does not completely accept the hero.
6. There is a conflict of interests between the villains and the society.
7. The villains are stronger than the society; the society is weak.
8. There is a strong friendship or respect between the hero and a villain.
9. The villains threaten the society.
10.The hero avoids involvement in the conflict.
11. The villains endanger a friend of the hero.
12.The hero fights the villains.
13.The hero defeats the villains.
14.The society is safe.
15.The society accepts the hero.
16.The hero loses or gives up his special status.

11. The Western Film
Inside/ Outside Good/ Bad Strong/ Weak Wilderness/
Civilisation
1
2 3
4
5 6 7
8 9
10 11
12 13 14
15 16

12. Deconstruction and
Postmodernism
• Tool for Analysis
• Mind/Body
• Culture/Nature
• Man/Woman
• White/Black
• Able/Disabled
• Postmodern Performance
• JUXTAPOSITION - an act or instance of placing two things
close together or side by side. This is often done in order to
highlight contrast and incongruity

13. Tasks and Reading
• Watch Swan Lake (as much/little as you like!)
• Come with a synopsis of the original Swan Lake (Petipa) and
Bourne’s Swan Lake
• Watch the William Forsythe playlist on lines
• Reading – optional, as reminder.